Donny Hathaway
Donny Hathaway was born Donny Edward Pitts on October 1, 1945, in Chicago, Illinois. He was raised in a Black American family and spent a significant part of his childhood in St. Louis, Missouri, under the care of his grandmother, Martha Pitts, who was a gospel singer. This early exposure to music influenced Hathaway's artistic development, leading him to perform in church as a child.
Hathaway's musical career began to take shape when he attended Howard University, where he studied music. However, he decided to leave the university in 1967 to fully pursue his music career. He emerged as a significant figure in the soul music genre, blending elements of rhythm and blues (R&B) and jazz, which distinguished his work from that of his contemporaries.
Hathaway is especially known for his emotive singing style and exceptional songwriting abilities. He gained widespread recognition for his hit songs, including "A Song for You," "This Christmas," and classic duets with the renowned singer Roberta Flack. His collaborations and solo efforts established him as a pivotal artist in R&B music during the 1970s.
Despite his relatively short life, Hathaway left an indelible mark on the music industry. He is remembered as a consummate artist, whose technical skill and emotional depth in his music set a standard in the genre. Hathaway’s struggles with mental health were evident, and he faced many obstacles throughout his career, which tragically culminated in his death in 1979 at the age of 33. His legacy continues to influence a new generation of musicians and is celebrated for his contributions to American music.
Overall, Donny Hathaway's life and work exemplify the profound impact that an artist can have through their music, combining technical prowess with deep emotional resonance.
Extension Of A Man
Bass – Russ Savakus, Stanley Clarke
Cello – Charles McCracken, George Ricci, Kermit Moore
Clarinet – V. Abato
Conductor – Gene Orloff
Drums – Grady Tate
Flute – Hubert Laws
French Horn – Jim Buffington, Julius Watkins, Tony Miranda
Harp – Gloria Agostini
Oboe – H. Schuman
Reeds – Romeo Penque, Seldon Powell, William Slapin
Trombone – Dominick Gravine, Garnett Brown, Paul Faulise, Wayne Andre
Trumpet – Ernie Royal, Joe Newman
Violin – Emanuel Green, Harry Lookofsky, Julien Barber, Noel DaCosta, Sanford Allen, Theodore Israel 5:33
A2 Someday We'll All Be Free
Written-By – Edward Howard 4:17
A3 Flying Easy 3:11
A4 Valdez In The Country 3:32
A5 I Love You More Than You'll Ever Know
Drums – Fred White
Guitar – Hugh McCracken
Organ – Donny Hathaway
Saxophone – David Newman
Written-By – Al Kooper 5:20
B1 Come Little Children
Bass – Donny Hathaway
Clarinet – Seldon Powell
Drums – Fred White
Guitar – Joseph Bishop, Phil Upchurch
Trombone – Garnett Brown
Trumpet – Joe Newman 4:31
B2 Love, Love, Love
Written-By – J.R. Bailey 3:22
B3 The Slums
Acoustic Guitar – Keith Loving
Alto Saxophone – Phil Bodner
Backing Vocals – Jimmy Douglass, Mario "Big M" Medious, Richard Wells, William "Mac" McCollum
Electric Guitar – Cornell Dupree
Tenor Saxophone – Seldon Powell
Trombone – Tony Studd 5:09
B4 Magdalena
Banjo – Hugh McCracken
Bass – Gordon Edwards
Clarinet – Phil Bodner, Seldon Powell
Drums – Grady Tate
Guitar – Hugh McCracken
Piano [Tack] – Donny Hathaway
Trombone – Tony Studd
Written-By – Danny O'Keefe 3:06
B5 I Know It's You
Arranged By – Arif Mardin
Backing Vocals – Cissy Houston, Myrna Smith, Sylvia Shemwell
Bass – Stanley Clarke
Drums – Rick Marotta
Producer – Jerry Wexler
Written-By – Leon Ware 5:13
Label: ATCO Records – SD 7029
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1973
Genre: R&B Soul
Style: Seventies Soul
Extension of a Man is the third and final solo studio album by American soul artist Donny Hathaway, released in 1973. It is a critically acclaimed and highly ambitious work that showcases his exceptional versatility as a singer, songwriter, arranger, and multi-instrumentalist, blending soul, R&B, jazz, gospel, and classical music elements.
The album is known for its bold eclecticism and emotional depth, touching on themes of love, spirituality, and social justice. It is considered both epic and intimate, a testament to Hathaway's ability to infuse personal vulnerability into a grand musical vision. Key aspects include:
The album notably opens with the six-minute "I Love the Lord; He Heard My Cry (Parts I & II)," an instrumental piece arranged by Hathaway for a 45-piece orchestra, which serves as a powerful, cinematic overture.
Hathaway seamlessly moves between musical styles, from the folk-tinged soul of "Someday We'll All Be Free" to smooth jazz-fusion in "Valdez in the Country" and the driving funk of "The Slums".
His performances are deeply rooted in gospel and blues traditions, evident in tracks like the doleful "I Love You More Than You'll Ever Know".
The album carries strong autobiographical overtones, reflecting Hathaway's struggles with mental illness and his pursuit of artistic freedom.
The album features several standout compositions and performances:
"Someday We'll All Be Free": Co-written by Hathaway and Edward Howard, this track is a powerful ballad that has become one of his most beloved and enduring songs, blending personal hope with universal themes of freedom.
"Love, Love, Love": One of the album's charting singles, this is a smooth and sublime love song with an R&B groove.
"The Slums": A raw, streetwise funk track that revisits the socially conscious themes of his earlier hit, "The Ghetto".
"Valdez in the Country": A smooth jazz-fusion instrumental that highlights Hathaway's electric piano improvisation skills.
Though not a major commercial success at the time of its release, Extension of a Man has grown in stature over the years and is now considered a soul classic and a vital part of Hathaway's limited but influential body of work. It is seen as a "testament" to his remarkable legacy and a blueprint for future generations of R&B and soul artists. Noted musicians such as a young Stanley Clarke on bass and Fred White (later of Earth, Wind & Fire) on drums contributed to the album's rich sound.